Focusing on Sustainable and Diverse Proposals, NCKU Holds Campus Finals for the Hult Prize

Written & Image Credit to NCKU Atelier Future.

On February 25, 2024, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) hosted the final competition for the Hult Prize, a significant event in social entrepreneurship and youth empowerment. Intended as a preliminary competition for the 2024 Hult Prize global contest, it pledged to provide innovative solutions for universal concerns. Over a million students from over 120 countries were motivated to become social entrepreneurs through this competition, led by the Hult Prize Foundation, a pioneer in social entrepreneurship. They offered a USD 1 million prize.
 
The Hult Prize On-Campus Program, in conjunction with the academic excellence of NCKU students, fostered an innovative and proactive attitude toward problem-solving. In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the competition sought to expand NCKU's influence and develop a new cohort of enterprising leaders dedicated to promoting constructive social transformation.
 
To prepare participants for success, the Hult Prize at NCKU partnered with Atelier Future to offer mentorship, and professionals in the industry conducted seminars. These workshops aimed to increase participants' readiness for the competition by providing insightful analysis and helpful guidance.

Additionally, the Hult Prize at NCKU collaborates with Bank “SinoPac”, highlighting its joint efforts with NCKU to advance sustainability and have a tangible impact on global sustainability attempts. It reaffirms its commitment to the SDGs by supporting the grand final winner's advancement to further stages.
 
Various creative SDG approaches were displayed due to diverse involvement from countries and disciplines. Every initiative highlighted the participants' ability to contribute to societal change, from environmentally friendly packaging solutions to augmented reality (AR) technologies for the blind.
 
The NCKU 2024 Hult Prize was held in the Atelier Future, which was expertly evaluated by the Senior Vice Presidents of NCKU (Professor Ping-Sheng Wu), Assistant Professor of National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (Dan-Wei Wen) and Partner of PwC, Chairman of sustainability and climate change (Eliza-Li). The competition concluded with a flourish of invaluable advice from the judges and enlightening and inspiring participants. Their insightful feedback not only acknowledged the strengths displayed by the contestants but also pinpointed areas for improvement with clarity and precision. Each word resonated with wisdom, offering a roadmap for growth and excellence. The judges' commitment to nurturing talent shone through as they generously shared their expertise, ensuring every participant departed with newfound knowledge and renewed determination.

"Colelpis," the grand prize winner of the Hult Prize at NCKU 2024, combines fashion and sustainability by employing innovative technology to create items out of recycled waste. To revolutionize supply chains and consumption, they promote environmentally conscious fashion practices. This June, "Colelpis" will showcase their steadfast commitment to sustainable design at the Asia Pacific Regional Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, representing NCKU.
 
The NCKU 2024 Hult Prize is an outstanding example of how academics and industry can work together to foster sustainable innovation. A new generation of social entrepreneurs dedicated to achieving global sustainability goals is inspired by Colelpis's journey, which emphasizes their collaborative effort towards a sustainable future as they advance to the Asia Pacific Regional Summit.